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Video: Wladimir Klitschko focused on fight with Alex Leapai

Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says it's important not to "repeat the mistakes of history" concerning the crisis in his native Ukraine.

Klitschko, the brother of opposition leader Vitali Klitschko, spoke Thursday to the media ahead of his April 26 title defence.

He sat before a Ukrainian flag, wearing a white T-shirt with his country's name and logo. Klitschko says he feels sadness about the months of protests and sporadic violence in his country, and his "mind is over there, my body is here."

His brother gave up boxing to run for president in the Ukraine, where elections are scheduled for May 25.

Klitschko speaks to his brother daily and says he plans to focus on his sporting career, for now. "It's my stage and it can put attention to anything that I want from that stage."